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1966 Map of Rainbow Point

Name: 1966 Topographic Map of Rainbow Point
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1969
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1969

About this map

Bryce Canyon National Park occupies the northwestern corner of this mid-1960s survey, where the Pink Cliffs drop sharply away from high elevations like Rainbow Point and Yovimpa Point. This transition from the forested plateau of the Dixie National Forest into a complex network of canyons is marked by numerous springs, including Riggs Spring and Lonely Spring, which provided essential water in this arid landscape.

South and east of the park boundary, the topography becomes a labyrinth of drainages such as Podunk Creek and Bullrush Gorge. Human presence is sparse, centered on the isolated Swallow Park Ranch and a network of primitive routes like the Pack Horse Trail and various unnamed Jeep Trails. These tracks follow the natural contours of features like Squaw Bench and Bull Valley, reflecting the era's reliance on rudimentary transportation for ranching and forest management.